"It takes a great deal of history to produce a little literature"

Henry James' quote suggests that a lot of understanding and experience is required to create a meaningful piece of literature. He indicates that literature is not something that can be developed in a vacuum, but rather is the item of a life time of knowing and understanding. It is inadequate to just have an excellent concept or a clever expression; one must have a deep understanding of the world and its history in order to create something genuinely meaningful. This quote talks to the significance of understanding and experience in the development of literature, and suggests that the best literature is the outcome of a life time of knowing and understanding. It is a tip that literature is not something that can be created in a moment, however rather is the item of a life time of study and reflection.